Clark Public Utilities, Clark County and the City of Vancouver kick off $1 million energy conservation effort
February 9, 2010
Clark Public Utilities, Clark County, and the City of Vancouver have joined together to offer a pilot energy conservation program for eligible homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell area and Fourth Plain corridor, thanks to $1 million in federal stimulus funding awarded by the state.
Larry Blaufus, senior manager of energy services and technologies for the utility, said the program – called Project Energy Savings — would get under way in March when Hazel Dell neighborhood volunteers will canvass the pilot area between Northeast Minnehaha and Northeast 68th streets east of Interstate 5.
In Rose Village and Fourth Plain Village, staff from Americans Building Community and volunteers will canvass these neighborhoods in the pilot area, which is bounded by I-5, SR-500, Burnt Bridge Creek, and Fourth Plain.
Volunteers will share energy conservation information and schedule an energy audit, which could lead to financial assistance for weatherizing homes and small businesses of those who meet eligibility requirements.
These neighborhoods will kick off Project Energy Savings with an Energy Fair from 5-8 p.m. on February 24 at Hazel Dell Elementary School, 511 N.E. Anderson Road. Clark Public Utilities energy counselors and weatherization contractors will discuss and demonstrate energy-saving measures for the home. There will be door prizes, refreshments and children’s activities.
A Clark Public Utilities energy counselor will provide an energy conservation kit along with a complete analysis of qualifying homes and businesses. The analysis will provide a detailed energy consumption report and customized action plan for efficiency improvements. The audit will identify ways to save money and energy, and include a list of available cash incentives for efficiency improvements. Among the conservation improvements are installation of insulation, duct sealing, and air sealing.
The program is open to those who live in the targeted areas with combined household incomes that are above requirements for low-income weatherization programs. For a family of four, that’s $3,675 a month. For a two-person household, the minimum is $2,428.
Customers with lower incomes may be eligible for other conservation programs offered by the utility and Clark County.
This program will pay for some energy conservation measures. Clark Public Utilities has weatherization and appliance rebates, as well as low-interest loans for additional improvements.
For more information, contact Clark Public Utilities at 360-992-3345 or visit clarkpublicutilities.com.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility district that provides electric service to more than 182,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 30,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
Clark Public Utilities was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power and Associates in 2008 and 2009.
For more information:
Mick Shutt, 360-992-3238